United Press International - Tuesday, 12 June 2001
Mike Cooper, UPI Science News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 16,377 TB cases reported in 2000 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The nation's tuberculosis rate fell from 10.5 cases per 100,000 people in 1992 to 5.8 cases per 100,000 in 2000, a decline of 45 percent, the CDC said. The disease was once the nation's leading cause of death.

Dr. Philip Hopewell, past president of the American Thoracic Society, said the report is good news but "doesn't tell the whole story." "An estimated 10 (million) to 15 million Americans carry undetected, latent TB infection," Hopewell said. "Until state and local health departments have the resources to screen and treat latent tuberculosis, the disease will continue to be a significant public health threat in this country." Tuberculosis, an airborne infection caused by bacteria, usually attacks the lungs. Of the Americans infected with TB germs, experts believe only about 10 percent will develop the disease during their lifetime. Worldwide, there were about 8 million cases of tuberculosis and about 2 million deaths in 1998. Researchers predict 70 million people will die of tuberculosis between now and 2020.

"The growing global TB epidemic could impact the declines made in the United States, if TB defense systems are not maintained," said Dr. Helene Gayle, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention.

John Garrison, chief executive officer of the American Lung Association, said the eight-year decline in tuberculosis cases has occurred even though the federal government has offered few new resources against the disease. "With just a little amount of money, TB control programs have brought progress," Garrison said. "With a commitment of additional resources, we can stop talking about TB control and start talking about TB elimination in the United States."

Alaska had the nation's highest rate of tuberculosis in 2000, with 17.2 cases for every 100,000 people. The state had 108 cases, a 75 percent increase over 1999.

Tuberculosis, once called the "scourge of Alaska" because of the high rate of the disease among Alaska natives, was brought under control when new drugs were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s. However, outbreaks still occur. In remote parts of Alaska, about 90 percent of healthy adults over age 60 carry the TB germ, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said.
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